We're checking out some new drives for a Dell R710. In the past, we've used two very similar Western Digital drives (REs with model numbers that end in FYYZ or FYYS). We're taking a look at the newer WD Gold Drives, but unfortunately we can't find a compatibility like this (we've used this in the past): http://products.wdc.com/library/cs/2579-771897.pdf

Is anyone using a WD Gold model WD2005FBYZ in a Dell R710 with an H710 RAID card? Or maybe anyone has any spec sheets or lists that have any related information? We've looked around and can't seem to find much...

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In any event, it is unlikely that anyone will guarantee compatibility, especially Dell, who won't support non-Dell drives. I'd guess you'll have to give it your best shot after matching specs between card and drives.

The H710 PERC will give you a permanent warning in OpenManage or the storage manager on an iDRAC but it is just a waning that it is nota Dell branded drive. I use 2&4TB RE drives in both SATA3 and SAS in 6g on H710's all the time. No problems now for the last couple years. THe golds will basically act exactly like and RE.

hard drives are hard drives are hard drives. if a SAS drive isn't compatible with a SAS port, change server vendors or build your own! incompatibility usually means that someone isn't following standards

One way to put it, and a good one.

As Josh said, and I would not expect anything else, you can use the drive just fine, but don't run to DELL for support if they fail. DELL (as do many other vendors) qualify the components they put in their products. That does not mean other components will not work , just that they have not been tested by the vendor. And they take no responsibility if they don't work.

Have been looking at the gold drives myself, but haven't gotten around to testing them yet.

We actually did decide to try the new Gold drives. Before the server is deployed we're going to do at least some basic testing, probably running something like IOMeter and running a few RAID rebuilds (machine is probably going to get RAID 6). Will try to post results here since currently details and compatibility are harder to find for these...